Apparatus for raising liquid from alpha lower to alpha higher level



April 20 1926. 1 5 1,5

M. E. GREGORY APPARATUS FOR RAIS'ING LIQUID FROM A LOWER TO A umnnnnsvst.

Filed Sept. 21, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 1 1 R llilhlllrilh 9 v M. E. GREGORY I APPARATUS FOR RAISING LIQUID FROM A LowER; TO A HIGHER LEVEL Filed Sept. 21, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet? INVENTOE M k 6719 or a, A 1 a "49iE/VEYE fijili Apr. 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,581,536 PATENT OFFICE.

MARK E. GREGORY, 0F FERGUSON, MISSOURI.

APPARATUS FOR RAISING" LIQUID FROM A LOWERTO' A HIGHER LEVEL.

Application filed September 21, 1922. Serial No. 589,629.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat 1, MARK E. Gnnoony, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ferguson, St. Louis County, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Raising Liquid froln a Lower to a Higher Level, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus of the kind that is used for raising a liquid from a lower to a. higherlevel, and particularly to deep well pumps.

The deep well pumps that are now in general use comprise an operating member that extends from the bottom of the well where the pump is located, to the surface of the ground. where said operating member is connected to an actuating mechanism. Owing to the excessive weight 01 the long operatingmember and the weight of the liquid: which is being raised, considerable power is required to operate the conventional deep well pump. Another objectionable feature of the conventional'deep well pump isthat it comprises numerous moving parts and valves which wear rapidly, thus'necessitating the withdrawal of the pump from the well at frequent. intervals to repair or replace the worn parts of the pump.

The object of the invention is to provide a pumping apparatus for deep wells, that requires less power to operate it than the conventional deep well pump and which it oi such construction that the parts of same will not wear out rapidly or become out by particles of sand, thus making it necessary to withdraw the pump from the well.

Briefly stated, my improved pumping apparatus comprises means for causing charges or batches of liquid from a source of supply to travel upwardly in successive stages through a series of superimposed chambers arranged between the source of liquid supply and the level to which the liquid is to be raised, the passage of the batches of liquid from one stage to another being effected by reducing the pressure in one-group of chambers of the series and simultaneously establishing atmospheric pressure in another group of chambers of the series arranged intermediate the chambers of the groupfirstreferred'to. The apparaa way that one-half: of the chambers constitute one group and the remaining chambers constitute a second group, a vacuum' pump or exhausteracombined with said chambers in such a manner that it can be used first for: reducing'the pressure in all of the chambers of one group simultaneously and for thereafter reducing the pressure in all of the chambers of: the othergroup simultaneously, and means for establishing atmospheric pressure in. the chambers of one group while air is being exhaustedl'from the chambers of the other group to reduce the pressure therein. WVhile' my apparatus can be used for various purposes. it ispar- "icularly adapted foruse in pumping liquid out of a deep well, on account of the fact that it is of such a construction that little power isrequiredto operateit and it is :of such design that the partsoff same are not liabletorwear out rapidly, thus overcoming the necessity of withdrawing: theapparatus trom the well at frequent intervals.

Figure 1 of the drawingsis a diagrammatic view, illustrating a: pumping apparatus constructed in accordance with myinvention.

Figure 2 is an enlargedvertical sectional view of a portion of saidapparatus; and

Figure 3- is' an enlarged horizontal sectional view, takenon the line 3-3 of F igure 2. I

. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, A designates a number of chambers arranged in vertical alignment and in alternate relation with a number of vertically aligned chambers B, the chambers A constituting one group and the chambers Ba second group. Said chambers A-and B are arranged in superimposed relation inside of a well provided with a casing m that. is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1, the particularv number otchambers A and B that the apparatus will comprise depend ing, of course, upon thedepth. of the well. In practice I prefer to form the chambers A and B from sections of well casing or from sections of? tubular pipe and connect.

saidrvariouszsgqtions together by means of coupling'members C, each of whichis provided; with" a. horizontally-disposed partition l shown moreclearly in Figure 2,

which forms the bottom or lower end of one chamber and the head or end piece of an adjacent chamber.

The chambers A are connected with each other in such a manner that the pressure in all of said chambers can be reduced simultaneously preferably by a single vacuum pump or exhauster D of any suitable type, and the chambers B are connected with each other in such a manner that atmospheric pressure can be established in all of said chambers B simultaneously while air is being sucked out of the chambers A. In the form of my in vention herein illustrated the suction pipe 2 of the vacuum pump D leads to a two-way valve E that is combined with two pipes 3 and 4, as shown in Figure 1. When the valve E is set in one of its two positions com munication will be established between the pipe 3 and the suction pipe 2 of the vacuum pump and communication will be established between the pipe 4 and the atmosphere. When the valve E is set in its other position communication will be established between the pipe 4 andthe suction pipe 2 of the vacuum pump and communication will be established between the pipe 3 and the atmosphere. The pipe 3 leads to the upper end of the top chamber A of the apparatus and said top chamber A is connected with the next lower chamber A by an open-ended pipe 5 which projects downwardly through the partitions 1 thatform the lower and upper ends of the uppermost chamber-B of the second group. The second chamber A of the first group isconnected with the bottom chamber A of the apparatus by means of an openended pipe 5 that projects downwardly through the partitions 1 that form the upper and lower ends of the bottom chamber B of the second group. Consequently, when the valve E is set so as to establish communication between the pipe 3 and the suction pipe 20f the vacuum pump, the pressure in all of the chambers A of the first group will be reduced simultaneously, due to the fact that said chambers are in direct communication with each other through the pipes 5 and'5 and when said valve E is set in its other position, namely, to establish communication between the pipe 3 and the atmosphere, all of the chambers A of the first group will be vented simultaneously. The chambers B of the second group are also connected with each other in such a way that air can be sucked out of all of the chambers B simultaneously through the pipe 4:, 0r atmospheric pressure can be established in all of said chambers B simultaneously by means of the pipe i. In the form of my invention herein illustrated the casing in of the well to which the pipe 4: leads is used to establish communication between the pipe l and the chambers B, each of said chambers B being. provided with an orifice 6 arranged adjacent the upper end of same, so as to cause air to be sucked out of the chambers B through the orifices 6 when the valve E is set in one position and to cause atmospheric pressure to be established in said chambers B through the pipe at and orifices 6 when the valve E is set in its other position. While I prefer to construct the apparatus in the manner just referred to, namely, form the chambers A and B from tubular members which are of such diameter with relation to the casing w of the well that the annular space between said members and the well casing can be used as a conduit to establish communication between the pipe 4 and the chambers B, it is not essential that the apparatus be constructed in this way, for if desired, open-ended pipes similar to the pipes 5 and 5 can be used for establishing communication between the respective chambers B of the second group. In Figure l, I have illustrated the apparatus as comprising five tubular members or pipe sections that form three chambers A arranged in spaced relation and two chambers B interposed between the chambers A, but it will, of course, be understood that in actual practice a relatively great number of tubular members will be used to form the chambers A and B, it being necessary to use sufficient tubular members or pipe sections to form a vertical column extending from the bottom of the well tothe surface of the ground and arrange partitions 1 in said column so as to divide the interior of same into separate chambers or compartments, one-half of which are connected with each other in such a way that they constitute one group of chambers and the remainder connected with each other in such a way that they constitute a second group of chambers arranged intermediate the chambers of the group first referred to.

The liquid that is drawn into the bottom chamber A of the apparatus from the well passes upwardly in successive stages through the chambers A and B until it finally reaches a lateral discharge spout 7 on the top chamber A of the apparatus that is equipped with an outwardly opening check valve 7. The passage of the liquid upwardly through said chambers is controlled by check valves, and while said check valves can be arranged in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, I prefer to provide each of the chambers A and each of the chambers B with an upwardly opening check valve 8 that is arranged adjacent the upper end of a pipe 9 which projects downwardly into the chamber located directly beneath the chamber with which said check valve is associated. For example, the bottom chamber A of the apparatus is provided with a vertically-disposed pipe 9 that projects downwardly into the bottom of the well, as shown in Figure 2, and a check valve 8 is arranged at the upper end of said pipe 9. The chamber B that is arranged directly above the bottom chamber A of the apparatus is also provided with a 'ertically-disposed pipe 9 that projects downwardly and terminates inside of said bottom chamber A, the pipe 9-that is associated with said chamber B being provided at itsupper end with a check valve 8. The remaining chambers A and B of the apparatus are each provided with a pipe 9 and check valve 8, as shown more clearly in Fi ure 2.

In using the apparatus the various tubular members or pipe sections that constitute the chambers A and B are connected together by the coupling members C and lowered into the casing 00 or" the well, the member that constitutes thebottom chamber A of the apparatus resting upon a strainer F and the inlet pipe 9 that is associated with said bottom chamber A projecting downwardly into a strainer F at the lower end of the well casing. After sufficient tubular members or pipe sections have been introduced into the well to form acolumn which extends from thebottom of the well to the surface of the ground, as shown in Figure 1, the upper end of the well casing a: is closed by a cap or other suitable means,-and the column comprising the chambers A and B is primed by introducing a liquid into the top chamber A ofthe apparatus through a filling opening in an elbow on the pipe 3 that is normally covered by a closure 10, the liquid flowing downwardly into the chambers A through the pipes 5 and 5 and backing up into the chambers B through the valvedpipes 9. As shown in Figure 2 the upper end of thetop chamber A is closed by a cap y. During the operation of priming the apparatus the check valve 7 in the discharge spout 7 is held closed soas to prevent the priming liquid from escaping through said discharge spout.

i issuming'thatthe valve E is in such a position that the pipe A is in direct communication with tliepipe 2, and the pipe 3 is in direct communication with the atmosphere, the check valve in the discharge spout 7 is released so as to permit the priming liquid to escape from the top chamber A. The valve E is then moved into its other position andthe'va'cuum pump D is started so as to reduce the pressure in said top chamber A and draw a charge of liquid into same from the chamber B located directly below the top chamber A, it being understood that said chamber B is ventedat thistime by'the oriiice 6 at the upper end of same. After a vacuum of a certain intensity has been established in the top chamber A, the valve E is moved automatically so as to establish communication between the pipe 4 and the suction pipe 2 of the pump and to establish communication between the pipe 3 and the atmosphere, As soon as the valve E has been moved into this position the atmospheric pressure which then exists in "the top chamber A causes the liquid in said top chamber A to escape through the discharge spout 7, and the suction which is then created in the chamber B located directly beneath the top chamber A causes liquid to be drawn upwardly into said chamber B from. the chamber A located directly beneath the same; The continued operation of the vacuum pump D and the two-way valve E causesthe priming liquid to be discharged from the chambers A and B and the liquid from the well to be drawn into the bottom chamber A of the apparatus and moved up wardly progressively, or in successive stages through the two groups of chambers A and B. During the time the charge of the-liquid which is first drawn into the bottom chamber A of the apparatus from the well is traveling upwardly through the various chambers A and B, the liquid that is dis charging from the spout 7 is the liquid that was usedto prime the apparatus,'but after said first charge of well liquid has reached the top chamber A, a charge of liquid from the well will be delivered through the discharge spout 7 each time the valve E is moved into positionto establish atmospheric pressure in the chambers A. Moreover, when the valve E is in the position first referred to, namely, to connect the pipe 3 with the suction pipe 2 of the pump, suction will be created in all of the chambers A simultaneously and atmospheric pressure will be created in all of the chambers 13 simultaneously, and when said valve is moved into its other position atmospheric pressure will be created in all of the chambersA simultaneously, and suction will be created in all of the chambers B simultaneously. The result isthat a number of charges ot-liquid will move upwardly or pass to a higher stage each time the valve E is moved from one position to another. Consequently, it is possible with such a method'to use EVHCULUII pump to 'raise liquid to a height inexcess of thirty three feet, asthe suction is USQtlIIiQI'O- ly for the purpose of reducing the nnssure in a. chamber whose depth or height is-less than thirty three feet, there beinga number of chambers located at different levels and combined with each other in such a way while the total height of the column formed by said chambers is in'excess of thirty three feet, the height which each charge or batch of liquid is raised by suction in any chamber of the column i's less than thirty three feet. Various means may be used for actuating the valve E. Therefore, I wish it to be understood that it is immaterial, sofar as my invention is concerned, how the valve E is moved automatically, so as to vent the pipes 3 and 4 and establish communication between-said pipes and the suction pipe 2 of the vacuum pump. The means herein illustrated for actuating the valve E consists of a rock lever G provided with a pawl 1.1 that co-operates with a ratchet 12 on the stem of the valve E to rotate said valve stem forwardly with a step-by-step movement, a solenoid H for moving said lever in one direction, a spring H for moving said lever in the opposite direction, an electric circuit I for energizing the solenoid H, a switch J for controlling said circuit I, and a suction operated diaphragm K for governing the position of the switch J. The casing of the diaphragm K is connected by means of a branch pipe L with the suction pipe 2 of the vacuum pump, so as to cause the flexible element of the diaphragm K to be pulled downwardly by the suction in the branch pipe L during the operation of reducing the pressure in the chambers of one group, thereby holding the arm of the switch J in such a position as to maintain the circuit I open. lVhen the pressure in said chambers has been reduced to such an extent that air starts to break through, thus momentarily interrupting the vacuum in the suction pipe 2 and in the branch pipe L leading to the diaphragm, the flexible element of said diaphragm will flex in the opposite direction and shift the arm of the switch J into engagement with the contact I of the circuit I, thereby closing said circuit and causing the solenoid H to rock the lever G in a direction to move the stem of the valve E into a different position. Assuming that the pressure is being reduced in the chambers A of the first group, the solenoid will operate as soon as said chambers A have filled with liquid, thus causing the valve E to move into a position to establish atmospheric pressure in the chambers A and create a suction in the chambers B, the rock arm G being restored automatically to its former position as soon as the pump D starts to exhaust air from the chambers' B, due, of course, to the fact that the suction in the branch line L causes the flexible element of the diaphragm K to move in a direction to open the circuit I. Thereafter when the chambers B of the second group have become filled with liquid the flexible element of the diaphragm will move in a direction to close the circuit I and cause the rock arm G to move the stem of the valve one step forwardly into position toestablish communication between the pipe 3 and the suction pipe 2 of the vacuum pump and cause atmospheric pressure to be created in the chambers B. While I have herein illustrated one particular means for actuating the two-way valve E that is used to intermittently vent the chambers of one group and connect the chambers of the other group With the, vacuum pump, I wish it to be understood that it is immaterial, so far as my invention is concerned, what means is employed for operating the valve E, so long as said valve will be caused to move first into a position to connect the pipe 3 with the suction pipe 2 of the vacuum pump and the pipe 4 with the atmosphere, and thereafter to vent the pipe 3 and connect the pipe 4 with the suction pipe of the vacuum pump, the reversal in the position of the controlling valve E being elfected, preferably auto matically, when the chambers of one group have filled or when the liquid has risen in the chambers of one group to a certain height.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for raising liquid, com prising the combination of a plurality of superimposed chambers of equal diameter, openended pipes putting alternate chambers in constant communication, other pipes leading from one chamber into the next one above, check-valves in said other pipes, a vacuum pump, and connections to each of said groups of chambers, and a valve device to control said connections so that each group is first subjected to suction and then to atmospheric pressure, alternately.

2. A deep well pump, comprising a well casing, a tubular column in said casing composed of superposed chambers separated by partitions, alternate chambers forming a group and being in free communication with each other, means including a check valve to connect adjacent chambers, and means to alternately cause suction in one group and atmospheric pressure in the other.

3. A deep well pump, comprising a well casing, a vacuum pump connected thereto, a tubular column in said casing divided by horizontal partitions into separate superposed chambers, every other'chamber having free communication into said casing, and the alternate chambers being in communication with each other, a check-valve connection between adjacent chambers, a pipe leading from said pump to said alternate chambers, and a valve in the pump connections so constructed and arranged as to cause suction in each of said groups of chambers alternately while atmospheric pressure is admitted to the other group.

MARK E. GREGORY. 

